If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

translating wicks

I have read so much here, thank you so much! I bought a bunch of silicone molds from another beekeeper that are from Germany. They showed me how they had made them and I got their basket of wicks and everything. They had a wick list for all the different molds, luckily they had numbers because I didn't understand the german name. Now my problem is buying additional wicks. The numbers are different. For a beehive one or smaller pillar its a #10. Others are 6 or 8???
Thanks!
Angela

Re: translating wicks

Re: translating wicks

We make dipped tapers for winter fun and gifts. We use a medium size flat wick and found a slender candle drips far less than a fat one.

From online research, wicks come in different braids and thickness. Specifications are very detailed and with careful inspection and measurement, I suspect you will be able to match yours with an equivalent standard. Often square braid wicks are referenced for beeswax because larger wick aren't as susceptible to impurities that impede the flow of wax to the flame. Larger wicks also make for larger flame and consequently greater consumption of wax. Information is readily available online and candle history is very interesting. Experimentation is fun and trials are easily melted into successes.

Re: translating wicks

Thank you! My problem seems to be I have been using up the wicks she had gave me. Each one was marked with the size and the testing has gone great. Its like finding something that works great and then they are discontinued, I now have to compare to find the size I have been using lol!
That melter sounds interesting! Sounds like an incubator I tried to make!

Re: translating wicks

Check out the Mann Lake web site. They list the dimensions of the beeswax candles from their molds and recommend the wick size to get. They are in Minnesota. There is also Betterbee in New York. Both sell supplies for making beeswax candles.

Most of my candles use the 2/0 square braid wick. I have made dipped birthday candles that use 4/0 wick.

I started writing the wick size on my candle molds. Wick size is very important. Too small a wick and the candle will struggle (small flame, low light) and may even drown.